The King of Madison Square Garden! Alex Pereira is still at home in the New York arena after his fight with Prochazka and made UFC history

Madison Square Garden is the queen of halls. And it has its own king. At least in combat sports, that’s Alex Pereira. Unfortunately for Jiri Prochazka, he proved it Sunday morning when he made UFC history.

Basketball’s New York Knicks and hockey’s New York Rangers play here, Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali boxed here, and the UFC has seen the likes of Conor McGregor and Georges St-Pierre. But the king of Madison Square Garden is someone else entirely.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, unfortunately for Czechoslovak MMA fans, he confirmed it. Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka clashed for the light heavyweight title at the UFC 295 gala, and the Brazilian showed why he is right at home in the famous venue.

Poatan, as the Brazilian puncher’s nickname goes, didn’t get off to the best start against the Moravian samurai, but he is the one to rejoice. Even though Procházka won the first round with the judges, it was no use to him.

In the second round it was a stoppage. There is a lot of public discussion that the fight could have lasted longer. But the South Moravian native himself admitted that he was out of line and that referee Marc Goddard ended the fight correctly.

UFC boss Dana White has already spoken about the termination and the future of both fighters at the press conference. Pereira received praise and the name of his next opponent, while Prochazka is apparently facing a break.

Pereira is the king of Madison Square Garden

Fighting in Madison Square Garden? A dream come true. At least for the vast majority of fighters. Alex Pereira, however, has a different story. “It’s my home now,” Yahoo Sports quotes him as saying.

It’s still a little far from home, but maybe in time it will be different. And why is he the king? The answer is as simple as possible. Fourth fight, fourth win, fourth knockout. Need I say more?

Pereira made his first ever appearance at MSG in 2018. Back then, he was still in the Glory kickboxing organization. Admittedly not in the main event, but “only” in the Hulu Theater, which is a smaller theater for smaller events right below the main concourse of Madison Square Garden.

That’s when he knocked out Yousri Belgarouie in the first round in New York. In the main event of the night. It’s worth noting that earlier in the week, Pereira was inducted into the Glory Hall of Fame. The third in history.

Now it’s November again and it was his turn to fight Prochazka. The result? Alex Pereira won on a second round stoppage to dominate the light heavyweight division.

No one in the UFC before the Brazilian had headlined the gala at Madison Square Garden twice.

It’s worth noting, then, that Pereira is only the ninth fighter in the UFC to go for a title in two weight classes. It took him seven fights in the organization to do so. No one has done it faster.

In 7 fights, the Brazilian has accomplished more than many do in a lifetime. Before him, Randy Couture, B.J. Penn, Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Georges St-Pierre, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo were champions in two weight classes.

After tonight's win @AlexPereiraUFC becomes the 9th fighter in UFC history to become a champion in two divisions 🏆 #UFC295 pic.twitter.com/Fzu0Cnapmk

— UFC (@ufc) November 12, 2023

Source: UFC, Tapology, Yahoo Sports